Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not well-grounded due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and current diagnosis. The claim for increased evaluation for lumbosacral sprain residuals is denied.

The veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent disabling, and his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and thus denied her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine injury, including strain and degenerative joint disease (DJD), does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to service and he does not have any other service-connected disabilities. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied. Additionally, he is not eligible for a TDIU rating as he does not have any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, prostatitis, and tinea pedis and tinea versicolor are currently rated as 10 percent each. The Board denied higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, secondary service connection, and a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability. The left ankle disability was rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The back and right knee disabilities were not found to be related to the service-connected left ankle condition.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and special monthly compensation were denied. The service-connected lumbosacral spine disability remains at a 60 percent rating, which is the maximum under applicable criteria.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, finding that it was not factually ascertainable before December 7, 1998, that the veteran's back disorder had increased in severity to meet the criteria for such a rating.

The veteran's service-connected gastritis medicamentosa is currently asymptomatic and his present upper gastrointestinal symptoms are unrelated to this condition. As a result, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin condition claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange, and chronic lumbosacral strain. The claim for PTSD was granted with an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for retinitis pigmentosa, finding that the earliest possible effective date is June 8, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain warrants a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on the criteria provided in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the current evidence does not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating.,A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, lumbosacral strain, and knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, chronic prostate problems, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and sleep apnea. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right knee patellofemoral syndrome is pending.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with sciatica and osteoarthritis lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, while his service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain was incurred in line of duty during active military service and is therefore granted service connection.